The Ramsay Way 2016 | 02 7 HOSPITALS Operation a First for Coast Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital (SCUPH) became the first hospital on the Sunshine Coast to implant an S-ICD defibrillator system giving patients the opportunity for this exciting new treatment. SCUPH Cardiologist Dr KK Lim carried out the procedure at the hospital's Cardiac Catheter Laboratory in May. Dr Lim said the new subcutaneous implantable defibrillator had only been available in Australia for a year. The technology is an exciting advancement, offering patients a less invasive procedure than the traditional transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators, where the leads are fed into the heart through a vein and attached to the heart wall. "The device is implanted just below the skin and the lead is implanted along the breastbone, just under the skin, thereby leaving the heart and blood vessels untouched and intact," Dr Lim said. "It is designed to provide the same protection from sudden cardiac arrest as traditional ICDs, however as there is no direct contact with the heart or bloodstream, it avoids the risk of life-threatening infections that could travel directly to the veins and heart via the traditional ICD lead." Dr Lim said the S-ICD was a great option for young patients with congenital heart conditions as the leads could be more easily replaced as the patients grow. "The first procedure with the new defibrillator went extremely well and my patient was well enough to go home the next morning, following an overnight stay," he said. The new treatment is suitable for a large amount of patients; however it is not intended for patients who have symptomatic bradycardia (a slow heart beat) and who require a pacemaker," Dr Lim said. More than 1,000 patients have been treated at the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory at the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital this year. CEO Oliver Steele said the high volume was a good indication of both the need and demand for high quality cardiac services on the Sunshine Coast together with the excellent calibre of the cardiac specialists in practice in the region and the successful outcomes for patients that are being achieved. Artemis – First for Pindara Private Pindara Private Hospital is currently trialling world leading robotic technology for prostate biopsies, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment. According to Urologist Dr Charles Chabert, the Artemis/ ProFuse platform uses innovative robotic and MRI technology combined with the latest transperineal surgical approach to produce safer and more precise biopsies. "The first global application of the Artemis transperineal system was in Switzerland recently. It’s pleasing to see this world class technology now available to benefit patients at Pindara Private Hospital," said Dr Chabert. Prostatic biopsies have traditionally been performed using transrectal ultrasound guided needle placement. This can be associated with an increased risk of infection and can make access of anteriorly placed lesions difficult. In more recent times there has been a trend towards performing these biopsies in a “transperineal” fashion. This avoids placing needles through the bowel wall and allows better access to the front part or anterior aspect of the prostate. The introduction of multiparametric (mp) MRI prostate scans has led to not only a reduction in the number of biopsies that need to be performed but also results in a more targeted, focused approach. Until recently “cognitive fusion”, which relies on a surgeon’s ability to cognitively overlay real time ultrasound images with a previously obtained mp MRI, has been performed. Whilst this is a significant step forward, there are potential limitations with this approach particularly with larger sized prostates and smaller sized lesions or “targets”. To overcome this pitfall, there are different platforms now available that aim to remove the “guess work” with the fusion process and provide a more accurate, reliable, and reproducible platform to perform targeted prostatic biopsies. The Artemis/ProFuse platform is one such platform and is the only system available that is based on a combination of 3D semi-robotic tracking and deformable MR-Ultrasound fusion. New Technology – Dr KK Lim with the S-ICD implantable defibrillator device. World leading robotic technology for prostate biopsies at Pindara. New Technology a Welcome Distraction for Young Patients The introduction of 3D distraction technology is helping to improve the experience of young patients at Joondalup Health Campus (JHC). 3D technology a welcome distraction for children at Joondalup Health Campus. Purchased with a grant provided to JHC by Telethon, the VPod system provides a welcome distraction for children undergoing uncomfortable procedures in the new Telethon Children’s Ward at JHC. The equipment provides breathtaking 3D images – including an underwater world, castles, butterflies and dinosaurs – which captivate and distract young patients enduring difficult and painful procedures such as injections, blood tests or blood transfusions. By distracting patients, virtual reality can be a valuable tool in the perception of pain and anxiety associated with medical treatment. Children usually become obviously engrossed in what they see through the 3D goggles and occasionally don’t even notice when treatments begin and end. The VPod relaxes the child, which means that if they are properly distracted, the procedures carried out by medical staff can be less traumatic, making the visit to hospital a more positive experience. Last year, Joondalup Health Campus treated more than 23,000 children in the hospital’s dedicated paediatric area in the Emergency Department, and more than 3,000 children were admitted to hospital. The number of under 16-year-olds being treated at JHC has grown at an average of 10 per cent a year since 2007–08. The use of 3D distractor technology at JHC means more children can undergo their procedures with minimal pain or anxiety.
The Ramsay Way - 2016 Edition 2
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